For the fourth consecutive year, the Philadelphia Phillies are in the running for the National League pennant. Whether they win the NL East Division or earn an NL Wild Card spot, the Phillies have a clear route to the postseason.
Philadelphia boasts one of the strongest starting rotations in baseball and a team that was built to slug. However, there is a need for bullpen reinforcements and improved center-field play.
Dave Dombrowski, the president of baseball operations, has a reputation for making significant announcements at the last minute. He might need to deal certain players on the 40-man roster in order to accomplish that. According to an insider, that deal involves prospect Mick Abel.
Are the Phillies Involved in a Multi-Player Trade Deal?
As per sports radio producer Alex Coll, the Phillies are having discussions with the Arizona Diamondbacks regarding pitcher Shelby Miller and Eugenio Suarez as part of a package involving Abel and others.
Hearing the #Phillies have had discussions about adding both #Diamondbacks P Shelby Miller & 3B Eugenio Suarez in a package involving #Phillies P Mick Abel + more. pic.twitter.com/HXJ9TajOEZ
— Alex Coll (@Alexcoll_) July 1, 2025
Abel is in the Phillies’ rotation, and it appears like he is the kind of pitcher who could stay there for a while. However, his talent naturally also stands out to other teams. The Phillies have an opportunity to sell high on Abel and receive a sizable return because of his solid body of work in his rookie campaign thus far.
Abel might be partnered with another prospect in a trade for a top closer in order to fortify the bullpen’s back end. Apart from Abel, there are four more tradable assets that the Phillies possess.
The Phillies’ starting rotation is largely set, despite Aaron Nola’s ribs injury. Additionally, Andrew Painter, a promising prospect, will return sometime after the All-Star break, which leaves veteran Taijuan Walker as a tradable player.
Walker signed a four-year, $72 million contract in December 2022, and he has one year left on it. That sum of money is still substantial. He might be the component that helps the Phillies acquire the center fielder they require.
Another asset could be outfielder Johan Rojas, who is excellent defensively. However, he doesn’t slug the way organizations want center fielders to these days, and his slash line has decreased in each of his three major-league seasons. A move to a new organization could give him a fresh start.
Trading him would also make room for Justin Crawford, who is dominating at Triple-A Lehigh Valley with a .335 average and .851 OPS as of July 2.
Like Rojas, outfielder Brandon Marsh could be moved by the Phillies in a trade involving several players including him as a backup return. Due to his power and the fact he’s under team control for two more seasons, Marsh is arguably more valuable than Rojas.
There will be arbitration costs which the new team will have to bear with this deal but it isn’t anticipated to be very high.
Lastly, there is infielder Edmundo Sosa, whose defensive ability makes him valuable as a capable fill-in for the likes of Trea Turner or Alec Bohm. His versatility will probably put him on the radar of potential trade partners as a throw-in.